Moving from Lee's Summit, MO to Chicago, IL
It is 514 mi between Lee's Summit and Chicago β roughly 9h 43m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 2 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
514 mi Β· 9h 43m by car Β· IL β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 55, I 70, US 40 |
| Major cities en route | Naperville, Elgin, Aurora, Joliet, Springfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lee's Summit | Chicago | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Chicago runs about 11.9% more expensive overall than Lee's Summit β RPP 92.543 β 103.595.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Chicago run about 11.9% cheaper β ZHVI $390,166 β $317,283 (2026-03).
YoY change: Lee's Summit +2.1%, Chicago +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lee's Summit | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 20Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | β |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 55.7Β°F vs 50.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US, CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lee's Summit | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 2,707,648 |
| Median household income | $104,989 | $75,134 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.36 |
Chicago households earn about 11.9% less than Lee's Summit at the median β $104,989 β $75,134 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Chicago MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 519,810 | $46,540 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 497,550 | $41,020 |
| Management Occupations | 405,130 | $125,280 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 386,070 | $38,490 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 368,000 | $33,540 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Missouri and Illinois
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Illinois's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Lee's Summit to Chicago?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 514 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Chicago compared to Lee's Summit?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $317,283 in Chicago vs $390,166 in Lee's Summit β a 18.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Chicago compare to Lee's Summit?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Chicago MSA vs $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Lee's Summit vs Chicago?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $75,134 in Chicago vs $104,989 in Lee's Summit β a 28.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Chicago more expensive than Lee's Summit?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Chicago is 11.9% higher than Lee's Summit (103.595 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Chicago, IL from Lee's Summit, MO?
The driving distance is 514 mi and the route typically takes 9h 43m via I 55 and I 70. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lee's Summit.
City profiles: Lee's Summit, MO Β· Chicago, IL.